Dear Young Zimbabweans,
Everywhere you go, the same words echo: “The economy is tough.” It is true that our economy has many challenges, but if we are honest, much of the poverty around us is not only caused by external factors—it is also the result of misplaced priorities and poor personal choices. The truth is uncomfortable, but until we confront it, many will remain trapped in cycles of lack despite having opportunities within reach.
The Real Enemy of Progress
When we talk about poverty, we often blame government policies, lack of jobs, or corruption. These are real issues, but they are not the only story. Many young people are kept poor not just by circumstances, but by how they choose to spend their energy, time, and money. Poverty is worsened when people invest in short-term pleasures instead of long-term gains. The enemy of progress is often not the economy itself, but the behaviour that ignores discipline and focus.
The Everyday Choices That Drain Potential
Look closely at our communities and you will see a clear pattern. People claim they cannot afford transport to attend job interviews, yet the same people will find money to attend weekend parties. They say there is no money to invest in learning new skills, but they spend hundreds of dollars on gadgets and entertainment. Young people complain about unemployment, yet devote countless hours to gossip, leisure, and unproductive activities instead of building income streams.
Another striking example is the way many handle relationships. Some will spend large amounts of money on romance, expensive weddings, or impressing peers, yet the idea of raising even a modest amount to start a business seems impossible. This shows not a lack of resources, but misplaced focus.
The Trap of Appearances
One of the most dangerous habits among young people today is living for appearances. There is pressure to look successful before actually being successful. People take loans for designer clothes, expensive phones, or flashy events, but refuse to invest the same energy into something that could build sustainable income. The result is a cycle of working hard to maintain an image that brings no long-term returns.
This mindset keeps many poor because it confuses status with progress. Owning the latest phone or attending every social event does not move your financial life forward. Building skills, investing in income-generating ideas, and saving for assets do.
The Culture of Dependence
Another factor that keeps people trapped is the habit of constantly waiting for handouts. Too many young people believe their lives will change when someone “helps” them. They beg, borrow, or rely on others instead of creating their own solutions. But dependence kills initiative. When you wait for others to provide, you stop using your own creativity and resilience.
True progress comes when you adopt the mindset: I will eat what I kill. In other words, you commit to living from your own hustle, no matter how small it starts. A person who can generate $5 through effort has more freedom than someone who waits for $50 in charity. Dependency weakens; independence strengthens.
Breaking Free from Misplaced Focus
If you want to escape poverty, you must first change your focus. Start by asking yourself hard questions:
* Where does most of my money go every month?
* Am I spending more on entertainment than on education or investment?
* Do I put effort into impressing people more than building a future?
* Am I waiting for help instead of creating opportunities for myself?
Being honest with yourself is the first step toward change. Poverty thrives in excuses. Progress begins with responsibility.
Practical Shifts That Transform Lives
1. Invest in skills. Even small savings put into learning something practical—like tailoring, plumbing, web design, or bookkeeping—can turn into income.
2. Prioritise necessities. Before buying luxuries, secure essentials like rent, food, and business capital. Luxuries can wait; survival and growth cannot.
3. Save consistently. Even a dollar set aside weekly builds discipline and creates a safety net.
4. Redirect social spending. Instead of spending on drinks every weekend, put the same money into a small project or savings group.
5. Value time. Use free hours to read, learn, or practice a skill instead of wasting them on unproductive distractions.
6. Cut dependence. Stop waiting for a benefactor. Even the smallest hustle is better than endless begging.
Hope Through Discipline
Let us be clear: poverty is not destiny. Many Zimbabweans have risen from difficult beginnings by focusing their energy on the right things. They refused to chase temporary pleasure at the expense of long-term security. They treated every small opportunity as a seed for something bigger. You do not need perfect conditions to start—you need determination and focus.
The difference between those who remain poor and those who progress is not always money. It is often mindset. With the right focus, $10 can be the start of a small business. Without focus, $1000 can disappear in a single weekend of entertainment.
A Challenge to You
The question is not whether Zimbabwe is hard—we all know it is. The question is what you will do with the little you have. Will you spend it on fleeting pleasures, or will you channel it into building something that lasts? Will you complain about poverty, or will you discipline yourself to create progress step by step?
The choice is yours. Misplaced focus guarantees poverty. Disciplined focus creates progress.
With respect for your determination,
ZimLedger Admin
ZimLedger
ZimLedger is the all in one business and finance platform for Zimbabwe. It generates quotes, invoices, payslips and financial statements, manages business ledgers, tracks income and expenses, and builds shopping lists. ZimLedger offers a simple yet powerful solution tailored to local needs. Whether you are budgeting in ZiG or USD, managing business accounts, converting Ecocash statements, or tracking household expenses, ZimLedger empowers you to stay organised, make informed financial decisions, and grow your wealth—right from your phone or computer.
